Study: Spending money on experiences, rather than items, increases happiness
Posted by freedomforall 10 years ago to Science
a recent study conducted by San Francisco State University found that people are more inclined to spend money on material items rather than personal experiences in which memories are created. Even more interestingly, people are aware that creating memories outweighs material purchases in the satisfaction department; however, they still choose material items.
Study link:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/201...
Study link:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/201...
Like cars. Used to drive a Mercedes Diesel. Not for the glitz (and it was a really pretty and well-appointed euro-spec car), but because it was durable, reliable, easy to fix, and drove well. When it needed replacing, people thought (because it was a Mercedes) I'd trade it in on a bigger, glitzier, more cush one... but by then, their quality had fallen through the floor. So I bought (and restored) a used Super Beetle... because it was durable, reliable, easy to fix, and drove well. The poseurs and looks-chasers were shocked. My friends... understood. My current car - isn't a Rover, isn't a Benz, isn't even a Tesla... it's a Subaru Forester. Why? Well... read the above list.
Don't get me wrong - I'll spend good money for good goods... but I'd rather get my moneys worth on quality than tinkle it away on Bling. Seen too many people do that for looks - and to me, that just looks... ugly.
I pointed out to him that if he did all those 'routine' maintenance chores to a clapped-out Chevy Impala on the same yearly or two basis, it, too would probably last 'forever.'
But the glitz ... :)
Had to have the radiator in mine rodded out (clear the passages, they were clogged) so I pulled it (about an hour - no huge feat of arms) and took it to the local radiator shop. They were filling out the paperwork, and asked what dealer I came from and the work order number, so they could charge the appropriate service department... when I told them it was for me, not a shop, and I was doing the work - their jaws dropped, and the price was reduced 50%...
Made owning that little diesel sedan affordable, knowing the "secrets of The Book"... grins.
Just sayin'.
Seriously, though travel is likely my first choice too on how to spend a sizeable chunk of cash, buying a musical instrument combines material and experiential goods in the best way possible. You are not buying a fleeting experience and treasuring the memories, and you are not buying a thing whose appeal fades after sufficient time has rendered it as no longer new. You are buying a thing upon which: you learn, you create, you contemplate, you express, you emote, you entertain people, you annoy the neighbors, you scare random animals, you build memories. I suppose the same could be said of an easel and canvas, or a word processor.
If the item you buy is a tool for creation, you have fused item and experience, mind and body,
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also, I bought a good ham radio which can talk long distance, bringing in memories of the Pittsburgh and Florida conversations, with the attendant learning about other folks and places. delightful and never-ending ,,, become a ham; no code general is not that tough!
A life of things, unless they provide or add to experiences, has always seemed a little empty to me.
Txs for the article. +1
my next adventure is a return to Sabah - pretty impossible to skite about that destination to people who travel to resorts in Fiji or the Gold Coast, but another experience that will be mine so long as i have memory.
I would add that, while you cannot buy security, you can bend the odds in your favor. Purchasing things that will make your life more secure is a worthwhile investment. (I am saving up for a liner for my water tank so that I can have some-many gallons of water close at hand if an earthquake cuts off the water supply to my area.)
I think that the first trip 'overseas' is the most important one. It is the one that says, to the heart (not the brain), "Wait. You mean all these people do not think/live/speak like I do?" This realization is worthwhile.
Jan
I'll give you the double-header... we have property in Italy. Some of the fondest memories there (and yes, we did the travel and tourist thing as well) was working on the property, clearing the debris from the ruins of the 19th century "apartments" (long abandoned) and 12th century church (even longer abandoned)... Even going to the Ferramenta (Hardware Store) in town (population <1000), was an experience that was better than the café we went to next to the Vatican.
Don't get me wrong - I love to travel - but normally (for me, anyway) it's just as fun to produce as observe.